Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Vanuatu's president to pardon convicted former MPs
Vanuatu's president plans to pardon 14 former MPs who were convicted and pardoned of bribery and corruption in 2015.
They were part of a scheme led by former prime minister Moana Carcassess, who paid MPs to support his motion to topple then-Prime Minister Joe Natuman.
The group to be pardoned also includes Marcellino Pipite, the then-Speaker of Parliament who as acting president pardoned himself and the other MPs soon after their conviction.
Those events kicked off a constitutional crisis that led former president Baldwin Lonsdale to dissolve parliament and announce a snap election in 2016.
In a speech in Port Vila today, President Tallis Obed Moses spoke of leadership, reconciliation and forgiveness before announcing his plan to pardon the former MPs.
This would open the way for them to contest next year's elections.
Mr Moses said he was still waiting on official legal advice.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Gordon Campbell: On The Hamas Ceasefire Offer, And Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
Peter Dunne: Beware The All-Knowing Controller And Auditor-General
Paul Moon: An Outsider On The Inside, How Ans Westra Created New Zealand’s ‘National Photo Album’
Jane Kelsey: How The Fast-Track Law Could Expose Future NZ Governments To Trade Disputes
Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism
Bill Bennett: Another Pacific cable for NZ by 2026